Birmingham care workers promised victory in dispute

Striking home care workers are celebrating after Birmingham city council seems to have backed off from attacks on their jobs.

Some 280 workers at the home enablement service have been fighting for almost two years against a series of attacks from the Labour-led council.

The Unison union members have held a series of long running strikes against attempts to axe their jobs and slash their pay. It would have tipped many in the low paid workforce—who are predominately women—into poverty.

Paulette Hamilton, cabinet member for health and social care, said the cuts were “no longer required”. Hamilton is proposing a new “integrated community team” which would mean an end to the attacks.

Birmingham Unison said “Birmingham council has now withdrawn all their proposals regarding cuts in hours and shift changes.

“Congratulation to the workers and their supporters in a long and hard fought campaign."

Punishing

The council began its attacks in 2017, when they attempted to impose punishing split shift rotas that would have seen workers undertake three separate shifts in a day.